Probiotics

• Taking probiotics (probiotic drops)
• Intestinal bacteria and their role
• Violators of the intestinal microflora
• Probiotics provide protection
• Probiotics and the immune system
• Prebiotics – food for probiotics
• The necessity of taking probiotics regularly
• Probiotics and children

Many people are intimately familiar with the various problems of digestion: bloated and/or heavy stomach, constipation or diarrhoea, gasses, cramps and other general complaints. All this is frequently accompanied by fatigue, loss of concentration and a deepening psychological discomfort. In most cases there is a lack of awareness that these problems are directly connected to the components constituting the intestinal micro flora. If the balance is disturbed due to an unhealthy lifestyle this can have far reaching health consequences.

The ceaseless, harmful impact of various risk factors on the human organism, and its contribution towards diseases has initiated a search for an effective and easily available means of protecting human health. At present there is positive proof that “friendly” probiotic bacteria are effective helpers in this regard. We particularly need them today because of our unhealthy lifestyle that brings with it an increased need to strengthen the immune system in order to prevent the appearance and development of various 'modern' diseases.

Probiotic lactic bacteria – lactobacillus and bifidobacterium from yogurts or sauerkraut settle on the walls of the colon and produce lactic acid and different organic acids. With their help the pathogenic and putrefying bacteria die and so, most particularly, the intestinal mucosa is protected from attacks of other aggressive bacterial strains. Because they safeguard the healthy functioning of the bowels they directly strengthen the immune system, since the immune cells are formed right in the bowels and most of the work of the immune system takes place in the walls of the bowels.

Taking probiotics (probiotic drops)

At the moment there are already a number of ways to add to the useful probiotic bacteria in the bowels; there are many first-rate concentrated nutritional supplements. It is important that the live bacteria are contained in an enterosolvent capsule which withstands the acidity of the stomach and also ensures their survival when passing through the stomach. In this way they reach the small and large intestine unscathed where, at least temporarily, they colonize the digestive tract. The probiotic bacteria in the capsules are in a lyophilized form. Lyophilizationis a process of drying, whereby the raw material is first frozen and then, via sublimation, the ice is removed. The ice is transformed into vapor without the intermediate liquid stage. The result of this superb technological process is a 100% natural bacterial powder. The product is very light and has an extraordinary microbiological purity. The process does not change the original morphological and biochemical characteristics of the bacteria and they stay viable for some years. After the shell of the capsule is broken down by the digestive enzymes in the intestine the dry, lyophilizedbacteria are released. They absorb the moisture from the environment that has been lost during the drying process and start to multiply. The best forms of nourishment for them are the so called prebiotics, which, in high-quality nutritional supplements, are already included in the capsules.

Flora Protect fulfills all criteria for a high-quality probiotic nutritional supplement. One enterosolvent capsule of plant origin, suitable also for vegetarians, withstands stomach acidity and contains:

• a balanced mix of 8 important strains of intestinal bacteria


• a minimum of 4 billion cells in lyophilized (freeze-dried) form


• nutrition for the useful bacteria (FOS)

Read more about Flora Protect here!

Intestinal bacteria and their role

The bowels are a unique environment because they provide living space for a plethora of bacteria, many of which do not need air in order to survive. They form the so called intestinal microflora. Based on their impact on the human organism intestinal bacteria can be divided into two groups. Some have a positive effect on the human body and we call them “beneficial” bacteria, others, on the other hand, have an undesirable or even detrimental effect. The “detrimental” bacteria produce toxic substances which can cause lengthy diseases and may permanently harm the body. Beneficial bacteria (the so called probiotics) have a favorable impact on the equilibrium of the intestinal flora; they prevent the excessive growth of the detrimental bacteria, improve digestion, strengthen the immune system and improve resistance to infections.

Beneficial intestinal bacteria are those that break up complex sugars into ketones; they are good for us because they:

• have a positive impact on the intestinal pH


• are able to inhibit the growth of detrimental bacteria


• produce vitamins B and K


• increase the blood supply to the intestinal mucosa


• help to break down unabsorbed food rests


• lower the risk of cancer

Therefore one needs to see the intestinal microflora as a “separate microcosm”, which is able to perform various activities beneficial to our health. However, if the equilibrium of the individual types of bacteria in the colon is disturbed the environment in the bowels changes and this can be the start of something potentially harmful. Different digestive problems appear (gasses, cramps, too much acidity, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, etc.) which may result in serious diseases like bowel inflammation, ulcerative colitis, allergies, bowel cancer etc.

Violators of the intestinal microflora

The digestive tract of an adult is home to an extraordinarily diverse microbial ecosystem, the host to almost 500 different bacterial strains. The proper functioning and equilibrium of the intestinal microflora can be disturbed in several ways, by:

• putrefying intestinal bacteria from food that can rot (meat, smoked meats, offal, eggs or partially decayed food)


• infections e.g. Helicobacter pylori


• a change in eating habits


• an insufficient amount of fibre in food


• stress


• alcohol


• antibiotics (used for treating infectious diseases)


• cytostatics (anticancer drugs)


• immunosupresives (medication used to suppress the immune system)

Probiotics provide protection

A disturbed equilibrium can be adjusted by “friendly,” that is probiotic lactic bacteria, which we also call probiotics. These have a beneficial effect on the composition of the intestinal microflora. With their help the human body is better able to utilize vitamins, calcium or lactose. Probiotics also improve the blood supply and movement within the bowels (peristalsis). They have a positive effect on the immune system and the production of vitamins K and B12. Probiotics lower the risk of digestive tract infections. They effectively contribute to the process of digestion by making certain food ingredients more digestible. They protect our health. Probiotics naturally occur in some foods. Lactic bacteria, most commonly used as a probiotic are Streptococcus thermophilus, bifidobacteria (Bifidobacteriumlactis, Bifidobacteriumlongum, Bifidobacteriumbreve) and lactobacilli (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillusrhamnosus, Lactobacillusbulgaricus etc.). These useful lactic bacteria mostly occur in fermented milk products. Plain white yogurts, acidophilus milk, kefir, cottage cheese with live lactic cultures but also unsterilized sauerkraut, fermented gherkins, etc. are just some examples of fermented milk and vegetable products with healing properties.

Probiotics and the immune system

The digestive tract also plays an important part within the defense mechanism of the body. However, due to ignorance its role is often underestimated. The bowels are not only responsible for digesting food but also perform many other important functions. It is the bowels that play an important role when forming a real line of defense against outside influences. The defensive function of the bowels is provided by the intestinal microflora, intestinal mucosa, and the intestinal immune system.

Probiotics inhibit the growth or kill harmful, undesired microorganisms occurring in the bowels by:

• producing bacteriostatic and bactericidal substances


• competing with them for nutrients (nutritional substances, vitamins, growth factors)


• producing lactic acid thereby lowering the intestinal pH (this has a direct impact on pathogenic and potentially pathogenic microorganisms).

In this way probiotics ensure protection against a wide range of intestinal pathogens such as the bacteria of the genus Salmonella, Shigella and other potentially pathogenic bacteria, Clostridium, Helicobacter or the Candida albicans yeast.

Probiotics maintain the correct composition of the intestinal microflora and so contribute to the appropriate and balanced condition of the mucosa and consequently of the whole immune system. Approximately 70% of the immune system is to be found right in the bowels. Because of that, contact with harmful microorganisms here can create a strong inflammation. The retention of immune cells in the inflammation spot has to be carefully controlled in order to prevent a serious disease from emerging. Probiotic bacteria have a positive effect because they regulate the migration of the immune cells into the inflammation center. This is how probiotics protect us from an imbalance which leads to disorders in tolerance and contributes to allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Prebiotics – food for probiotics

As life progresses the composition of the intestinal microflora undergoes significant and marked changes. Many studies point to the fact that nutrition and age are the main elements influencing the representation of individual bacteria in the intestinal microflora. Due to a continual and insufficient amount of fibre in food (or because of advancing age), probiotic bacteria may totally vanish. On the other hand, the number of pathogenic enterococci, enterobacteria and clostridium bacteria increases. This may lead to the growth of pathogens and toxins, cancers and liver function disorders.

In order for the probiotic bacteria to live and multiply in an optimum way in the bowels they need indigestible food matter – fibre – which favorably and selectively influences their growth. This matter is called a prebiotic. It needs to fulfill the following criteria:

• be resistant to stomach acids and enzymes in the digestive tract


• be able to be digested and broken down by “good” intestinal bacteria


• be able to selectively stimulate the growth or activity of only the “good” intestinal bacteria that have a beneficial impact on health

The above mentioned criteria are only met by certain indigestible oligosaccharides of various origins.

For human beings breast milk is a source of the first and best prebiotic. One liter of breast milk contains up to 15 g of indigestible oligosaccharides. Prebiotics occur naturally in plant foods. One of the most useful prebiotics is inulin. The root of the chicory plant (also used to make coffee substitutes) is one of the rich sources of inulin. Another source is found in artichokes when consumed as salad. But the richest source is the root of the common chicory (Cichoriumintybus) plant. Its healing properties have been known since the beginning of the modern era.

All contemporary commercial prebiotics are oligosaccharides or polysaccharides. Ten human studies documented that the most marked efficacy was achieved by fructooligosaccharides (FOS). After taking 1 to 20 g FOS daily there was a ten-fold increase in the growth of bifidobacteria. Therefore, at present, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are added as prebiotics into foods and fodder.

The necessity of taking probiotics regularly

What is the difference between common bacteria of the intestinal flora and probiotic bacteria? Intestinalbacteria are long-lasting inhabitants of the digestive tract and have the ability to continuously live and multiply within. Aprobiotic is a living bacterium which stays in the digestive tract only temporarily, does its good deed, but is not able to colonize in the long-term. This also explains why it is necessary to use probiotics on a long-term basis in order to see a positive effect. The most common ones are some of the noble bacteria of lactic fermentation - bifidobacterium and lactobacillus. Probiotics are also added to the so called functional foods. Pure cultures can also be given in the form of capsules, pills or syrups.

Taking probiotics (probiotic drops). Probiotics have to be consumed in a food carrier that allows them to survive the journey through the stomach (and the effects of the stomach bile), so they can apply their positive impact on the small and large intestine.

At present there are already many ways to replenish the beneficial probiotic bacteria in the bowels in the form of high-quality nutritional supplements (in concentrated form, enclosed in capsules). Apart from the essential ability * to survive the journey through the stomach and the small intestine, and even temporarily colonize the digestive tract, the composition of the live bacteria is also important. This is why the probiotic bacteriain the capsule are lyophilized, i.e. freeze dried. This form is the result of a process of drying where the raw material is first frozen and the ice is later removed by sublimation. The ice is transformed directly into vapor, thereby skipping the liquid/water stage. This innovative technology produces a 100% natural bacterial powder. The product is very light and extraordinarily pure on the microbiological level. However, the original morphological and biochemical properties are preserved and the bacteria remain viable even after some years. After the digestive enzymes in the intestine break down the shell of the capsule the dry, lyophilized bacteria are released. Gradually, they absorb the moisture lost during the drying process from their environment and start multiplying. The most beneficial “food items” for them are the so called FOS (fructooligosaccharides), prebiotics, which, in high-quality nutritional supplements, are already added into the capsules.

A suitable selection of probiotic cultures, and ones that can survive the journey to the bowel in live form, can prevent the emergence of many digestive problems and serious 'modern' diseases.

Probiotics and children

Many people have already experienced the positive effect of probiotic use by noticing a moderation or shortening of the duration of certain illnesses. But it is necessary to realize that the chief significance lies in their preventative effect, mainly with children. It is seen positively already during infancy when the composition of the diet is a very important factor in the healthy development of a child. From this standpoint breast milk is unique and cannot be substituted by anything else; it has a major influence on the composition of the intestinal micro flora. Research has shown that babies that were breast fed have a considerably higher amount of probiotic bacteria, mostly the lactobacillus type, than children who were fed formula. This was directly linked to the occurrence of baby diarrhoea, which was much less prevalent with breast fed babies. It was further found that breast feeding, and therefore the presence of more probiotic bacteria, helps to prevent the occurrence of Crohn’s disease in children.

Children who are fed formula have the same intestinal microflora composition as adults; however, with children the danger of allergies or infections is higher. Long-term research has confirmed that when these children were given probiotics along with regular food their skin and food allergies disappeared.

Probiotics also play an important role in later age when children come into contact with consistently new pathogenic bacteria. In nursery school, and later in infant primary school, children are attacked by bacteria for which their body is not prepared. It is therefore necessary to supply them with the optimum number of beneficial bacteria. Probiotics form a continuous protective film on the bowel mucosa and so prevent the colonization of the bowels by pathogenic microorganisms and their excessive growth.

Positive effects of probiotic bacteria on children include:

• improved intake of minerals and vitamins from food


• improved absorption of calcium for bones which supports healthy growth


• stimulation of the immune system and other defense mechanisms of the body


• renewal of the intestinal microflora during and after treatment with antibiotics


• help with prevention and treatment of constipation and diarrhoea


• moderation of the signs of skin diseases (various eczemas, including a topical eczema, acne, etc.)


• amelioration of the signs of food allergies (also future allergies)


• protection from diseases and infections when in contact with groups of children

- Prof. Katharine Horak, Doctor of Natural Science

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